Green Tea Diet – How To Lose Weight With Green Tea

Juggling work and home and not getting enough time to take care of yourself? Have you gained weight because you are unable to hit the gym or undertake a weight loss program? Well, that’s the story of most women today. For me, the situation got worse when I couldn’t fit into my old clothes anymore. All I saw was the protruding double chin staring at me from all my photos!

Stressed and worried, I started looking for an alternate weight-loss solution. It’s kind of funny that the solution was right there in my kitchen cupboard but I just never saw it. It was the age-old (drum roll) green tea.

Green tea not only helped me lose 10 pounds in 3 weeks but also improved my health. Today, I feel great about how I look and feel. So, I have decided to share my green tea diet plan with you. But first, let’s see how green tea can help you lose weight.

How Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight

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Green tea contains an active antioxidant compound, Catechins. One of the catechins, known as Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) helps to boost metabolism and burn fat. EGCG helps to mobilize the fat by inhibiting an enzyme that breaks down a hormone called norepinephrine (1). This increases the level of norepinephrine. Now, norepinephrine signals the fat cells to break down fat. Green tea also contains a generous amount of caffeine that stimulates weight loss.

Now that you have a fair idea of how this wonder drink exactly does let’s take a peek into my 7-day green tea diet plan.

7-Day Green Tea Diet Plan

This 7-day diet plan should be followed for three weeks for desired results.

Day 1 (Monday)

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Meal

What To Eat

Early Morning (7:30 a.m)

1 cup green tea + 1 tablespoon lime juice

Breakfast (8:30 a.m)

2 boiled eggs + 1 cup fat-free milk + 4 soaked almonds

Pre-Lunch (11:00 a.m)

1 cup green tea

Lunch (12:30 p.m)

Options

Chicken salad

Zoodles with olive oil and cherry tomatoes

Post-Lunch (3:00 p.m)

½ cup yogurt

Pre-Dinner (5:00 p.m)

1 cup green tea + 1 multigrain biscuit

Dinner (7:30 p.m)

Options:

Grilled salmon with tomato and asparagus

Mushroom clear soup

Why This Works

Lime juice adds to the taste and flavor of your morning green tea. It also helps to boost your immunity. A heavy nutrient-rich breakfast will keep you active throughout the day. Pre-lunch and pre-dinner green tea will suppress your appetite and prevent you from eating too much. Yogurt contains good gut bacteria that helps in digestion and in turn, aids weight loss. Keep lunch/dinner delicious and nutritious but light.

How Will You Feel By The End Of Day 1

As you will be having the right quantity of food at the right time, you will not feel hungry or weak. Do not expect to see any visible result right now.

Day 2 (Tuesday)

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Meal

What To Eat

Early Morning (7:30 a.n)

1 cup green tea with ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder

Breakfast (8:30 a.m)

Oatmeal + Watermelon juice + 4 almonds

Pre-Lunch (11:00 a.m)

1 cup green tea

Lunch (12:30 p.m)

Options

Grilled chicken lettuce wrap

Spinach, broccoli, and swiss chard salad with light dressing

Post-Lunch (3:00 p.m)

1 cup fruits

Pre-Dinner (5:00 p.m)

1 cup green tea + 1 saltine cracker

Dinner (7:30 p.m)

Wheat pasta with zucchini, tomato, and feta

Why This Works

Cinnamon helps to burn fat. It also adds sweetness and flavor to the green tea. A breakfast with high dietary fiber content and healthy fats will help mobilize the stored fat. Again the dinner and lunch would be nutritious but exciting and light. A cup of fruits post lunch will prevent you from eating unhealthy snacks. Pre-lunch and pre-dinner green tea should not be avoided.

How Will You Feel By The End Of Day 2

On this day too you will not feel hungry or weak as the diet chart is compact with nutritious and filling foods. But you will notice a change in your activity levels. You will be more energetic and alert through the day.

Day 3 (Wednesday)

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Meal

What To Eat

Early Morning (7:30 a.m)

1 cup green tea with honey

Breakfast (8:30 a.m)

Kale and cucumber smoothie + 4 almonds

Pre-Lunch (11:00 a.m)

1 cup green tea

Lunch (12:30 p.m)

1 cup fruits + 1 cup coconut water

Post-Lunch (3:00 p.m)

1 cup buttermilk

Pre-Dinner (5:00 p.m)

1 cup green tea + ¼ cup boiled corn with a dash of lime juice

Dinner (7:30 p.m)

Options

Tuna salad

Chickpea stuffed bell pepper

Why This Works

Honey is a potent antibiotic agent and therefore helps to keep you strong and healthy. The breakfast smoothie will jump start your day and almonds will provide you with healthy fats. Fruits and coconut water for lunch will help you feeling full for a longer time and keep you hydrated. Buttermilk contains probiotics (good bacteria) beneficial for your gastrointestinal system as it ensures proper digestion. Boiled corn with lemon will break the boredom of eating fruits for lunch. A protein packed dinner will help to rejuvenate your muscles.

How Will You Feel By The End Of Day 3

By the end of day 3, you would have lost a good amount of water weight. Therefore, you will now be able to see visible results.

Day 4 (Thursday)

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Meal

What To Eat

Early Morning (7:30 a.m)

1 cup green tea

Breakfast (8:30 a.m)

Quinoa + 1 cup tomato juice

Pre-Lunch (11:00 a.m)

1 cup green tea

Lunch (12:30 p.m)

Option

Grilled veggies and mackerel

Kidney bean chili

Post-Lunch (3:00 p.m)

½ cup baby carrots

Pre-Dinner (5:00 p.m)

1 cup green tea

Dinner (7:30 p.m)

Shell pasta with broccoli, spinach, and olive oil

Why This Works

Kickstart your day with green tea. Having a large breakfast with quinoa and tomato juice will keep you full for a longer time. Pre-lunch and pre-dinner green tea will help suppress your appetite. You can skip the post lunch baby carrots if you are not hungry. A tasty and nutritious lunch and dinner will prevent you from getting bored of this diet.

Why This Works

Green tea and cinnamon tastes good and also aids weight loss. The banana provides energy, almonds are rich in healthy fats, and eggs are rich in protein. Cucumber soup is light and tasty. It will keep you from feeling tired. Watermelon is rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and will keep you hydrated. The most exciting part of the day is popcorn. Yes, you can have ½ cup of unsalted popcorn along with green tea. Protein packed dinner will keep your taste buds alive and tone your muscles.

How Will You Feel By The End Of Day 5

Though you will eat fewer calories on day 5, you will be happy to see the results so soon. Your body will slowly start to mobilize fat. You will feel more energetic, and you will look forward to the 6th day, your cheat day!

Why This Works

This cheat day works toward helping you to lose weight by creating a need for more energy to metabolize the food you consume. If you are on the same diet plan, your body tends to get used to it, and the weight loss process plateaus. Start your day with green tea and a tasty breakfast. Before lunch drink nothing but green tea. Have a protein rich lunch and dinner that will also contain cheese. Cheese is good for health unless you consume too much. Dark chocolate dipped strawberries are the best cheat day snack. Before dinner have one cup of green tea to help start your metabolism.

How Will You Feel By The End Of Day 6

Cheat day always feels good. Just do not overdo it otherwise, you will gain all the weight back.

Day 7

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Meal

What To Eat

Early Morning (7:30 a.m)

Green tea with cinnamon and honey

Breakfast (8:30 a.m)

Kale smoothie + 1 boiled egg

Pre-Lunch (11:00 a.m)

1 cup green tea

Lunch (12:30 p.m)

Grilled broccoli, asparagus, carrots with mushroom/chicken

Post-Lunch (3:00 p.m)

1 cup cucumber

Pre-Dinner (5:00 p.m)

1 cup green tea + 1 multigrain biscuit

Dinner (7:30 p.m)

Asian style stir-fried veggies + tofu/chicken + brown rice

Why This Works

Green tea with cinnamon and honey jump starts your metabolism. Kale is rich in dietary fiber that helps to flush out the fat molecules. Egg is an excellent source of protein that helps to rejuvenate the muscles. Grilled veggies are high in complex carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Mushroom and chicken provide the body with essential amino acids. Multigrain biscuit and brown rice are rich in dietary fiber and improve bowel movement. Stir fried veggies taste delicious and are nutritious.

How Will You Feel By The End Of Day 7

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You can easily figure out a more toned down and slim body. However, you will not feel weak as the 7-day green tea diet chart contains nutritious foods and maintains the necessary calorie requirements for the body to function properly. Besides, your skin health will improve, and you will start sleeping better at night.

After completing 3 weeks on this diet, you will feel lighter, become active, your brain function and sleep will improve, your skin will glow, and you will weigh 10 pounds less.

Do you know how to prepare green tea for weight loss? Producing a perfect cup of green tea can be a tricky process. Although it is best to follow instructions printed on the packet to make a perfect cuppa, there are a few general guidelines to follow to brew a steaming cup of tea.

How To Make Green Tea Yourself At Home

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Take 1 tea bag or 2-4 grams of green tea in a cup.

Boil 1 1/2 cups of water.

When water starts to boil, switch off the gas.

Allow it to stand for 2 minutes.

Now pour the heated water into the cup, where tea was kept.

Allow it to steep for 3 minutes.

Remove the tea bag (if using the bag) or remove the leftover leaves.

Again allow it to stand for 2 more minutes.

Now your green tea is ready.

You may have noticed that the diet chart suggests that you take green tea with other weight loss agents. Here’s how you can prepare green tea with cinnamon, honey, or lemon/lime.

Green Tea With Honey

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Take 1 cup water and bring it to a boil.

Pour it in a cup and add the green tea bag.

Let it soak for 2-3 minutes.

Add 1 teaspoon organic honey.

Stir well.

Green Tea With Lemon/Lime

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Bring a cup of water to a boil.

Pour the boiled water into a cup and add the green tea bag.

Let it soak for 2-3 minutes.

Add 1 tablespoon of lime/lemon juice.

Stir well.

Green Tea With Cinnamon

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Soak a cinnamon stick overnight in a cup of water.

Or soak ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder for 15 minutes.

Strain the water using a sieve.

Boil the water till the water level becomes half.

Pour it in a cup.

Add green tea bag and soak it for 2-3 minutes.

Stir well before drinking.

Though preparing green tea is quite easy, the tough part is finding a good brand of green tea. Here are few brands of green tea that are authentic and does the job for you.

Good Brands To Consider

By now you must be excited to know the best green tea for weight loss, isn’t it? There are many brands available in the market that are good for consumption. You could try Waghbakri, Green Label, Tulsi, Tetley, Taj, Lipton, Tazo, Bigelow, Stash and Himalaya herbal teas. How else can you benefit from drinking green tea? Here is a list of scientifically proven list of benefits from drinking green tea.

Other Health Benefits Of Green Tea

EGCG in green tea has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties and has the potential to cure rheumatoid arthritis (2).

There are two sides to every coin, so is the case with green tea too. Let’s take a look at the side effects of consuming too much green tea.

Side Effects Of Green Tea

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Irritability

Insomnia

Heart palpitations

Dizziness

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Headaches

Loss of appetite.

If a person drinks a lot of green tea which has caffeine in it and starts to vomit, then surely it is a symptom of caffeine poisoning. If your symptoms are severe, then you should immediately lower your consumption of caffeinated green tea and consult your doctor.

This is all about green tea and weight loss. To conclude, I would only say that green tea worked wonders for me and so will it for you. So, get a good brand of green tea today and start the green tea diet today. Give it three weeks time, and then you will know what I am talking about! Till then, if you have any questions, please leave a comment in the box below.

Cheers!

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

Can I drink green tea after childbirth or during the breastfeeding months?

Please consult your gynecologist first. However, I would suggest that you avoid being on any diet right after child birth or during the breastfeeding months.

Can I put sugar in green tea?

Absolutely not. You can opt for 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup.

Do you get the same benefits with flavored Green teas?

Flavored green teas are not as much effective as the non-flavored one. If you want to lose weight, have green tea without any flavors. But you can use lime or cinnamon if it is hard for you to drink green tea without any flavors.

How much green tea should I have per day?

You can have 3-4 cups of green tea every day. Do not overdo it.

What is the best time for drinking?

The best time for drinking green tea is right after waking up and before meals.

Does brand really matter for green tea?

Yes. You should buy a reliable and good brand of green tea as most other green teas do not have the same effect. To put it straight, there is a reason why some green teas in the market are way cheaper than others.

Can green tea go bad?

I would suggest you throw away the green tea pack if it has passed the expiry date. If not, it’s good to go.

Can I drink iced green tea for weight loss?

There are no studies so far that claim that iced green tea can help you lose weight. So, ditch it.

Charushila is an ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition and a full-time contributor to Diet & Weight Loss at Stylecraze. She believes that food has healing powers and eating good food is the best way to lose weight. A binge eater-turned-fitness enthusiast, Charushila likes to share her knowledge and experience with the world. When she is not working, she loves to cook healthy food, watch movies, travel, workout, and read Bengali literature.